Château Grand Corbin-Despagne
Saint-Émilion Grand Cru Red Bordeaux Blend
St. Émilion, Libournais, Bordeaux, France
This was the second of three bottles I have from 2009. The first bottle was awkward with only faint hints of glory and I wasn’t sure what to expect this time around. This was in many ways exactly the same. I still can’t figure this thing out. It pours a heavy ink with only the slightest twinge of brick. The nose is surprisingly lacking in almost any discernible fruit, with more emphasis on soil or a puddle in the rain, as well as brown sugar. The palate is firm with plenty of staying power left in the body. There was a modest improvement overnight as it did let go of some of the green, eucalyptus flavours, but by then, it was heavily cedar-based. Overall, the firmness and closed-down nature of this makes me think it is not on any downslope yet - just simply hibernating. And yet, I really don’t know if it has the acidity to remain balanced by the time it Is ready. I can only hope this wine becomes more expressive and opens up a lot more in the next few years. Right now, it’s hiding everything glorious and will run out of time. As it is, I would again rate this bottle a disappointment and will save my last bottle for minimum of 3 and a maximum of 7 years. Hope for good things 🤞🏻.
This was the second of three bottles I have from 2009. The first bottle was awkward with only faint hints of glory and I wasn’t sure what to expect this time around. This was in many ways exactly the same. I still can’t figure this thing out. It pours a heavy ink with only the slightest twinge of brick. The nose is surprisingly lacking in almost any discernible fruit, with more emphasis on soil or a puddle in the rain, as well as brown sugar. The palate is firm with plenty of staying power left in the body. There was a modest improvement overnight as it did let go of some of the green, eucalyptus flavours, but by then, it was heavily cedar-based. Overall, the firmness and closed-down nature of this makes me think it is not on any downslope yet - just simply hibernating. And yet, I really don’t know if it has the acidity to remain balanced by the time it Is ready. I can only hope this wine becomes more expressive and opens up a lot more in the next few years. Right now, it’s hiding everything glorious and will run out of time. As it is, I would again rate this bottle a disappointment and will save my last bottle for minimum of 3 and a maximum of 7 years. Hope for good things 🤞🏻.
Oct 6th, 2019The nose is different. Much more woodsy and less fruit than I’d have imagined. The flavour profile was blackberry based and again, some wood. Some eucalyptus and green grass. Also some wet soil and cloves. The tannins weren’t a punch in the face by any means, but also haven’t haven’t completely softened as you might expect in a ten year-old. The palate was uninspiring as there was a watery-ness in the mid palate. I’m not sure whether this is over the hill or just not quite there yet and in a dumb phase? Will wait and see for the final two bottles. Solid, I guess. Not yet amazing.
The nose is different. Much more woodsy and less fruit than I’d have imagined. The flavour profile was blackberry based and again, some wood. Some eucalyptus and green grass. Also some wet soil and cloves. The tannins weren’t a punch in the face by any means, but also haven’t haven’t completely softened as you might expect in a ten year-old. The palate was uninspiring as there was a watery-ness in the mid palate. I’m not sure whether this is over the hill or just not quite there yet and in a dumb phase? Will wait and see for the final two bottles. Solid, I guess. Not yet amazing.
Mar 31st, 2019
Nicely structured with blackberry and fig notes. Matched with grilled strip loins.
Nicely structured with blackberry and fig notes. Matched with grilled strip loins.
Oct 28th, 2017
Exellent wine. Full body and very dark red color with a little wood taste.
Exellent wine. Full body and very dark red color with a little wood taste.
Dec 29th, 2015
75% Merlot, 24% Cab Franc, 1% Cab Sauvignon
75% Merlot, 24% Cab Franc, 1% Cab Sauvignon
Oct 15th, 2017
